Srinagar, June 20: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference president and Member of the Parliament from Srinagar Dr Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday visited the Baltal base camp to review the status of preparedness for Shri Amarnath Ji annual pilgrimage through the Baltal route.
He discussed arrangements put in place for healthcare, electricity, communication, water supply and sanitation, weather forecasting, disaster management, security grid and all other basic necessities for the pilgrims with the concerned authorities. He also visited a hospital at the base camp and reviewed arrangements for the medical care of pilgrims for the forthcoming Yatra.
Dr Farooq was accompanied by senior party leader Mian Altaf Ahmed, Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq, MP Hasnain Masoodi. Among others, officers from various stakeholder departments were also present on the occasion.
The NC president appreciated the elaborate arrangements put in place by the concerned authorities at the medical facilities on the route of the yatra. He lauded the efforts of the administration for harnessing benefits of technology to deal with any emergent situation.
Dr Abdullah implored upon the concerned authorities to allow the owners of ponies, Pithoos from Chandanwari to the holy cave with the commencement of the Yatra, saying, “Apart from thousands of registered pony walas, there are many thousands of Palkiwalas and hundreds of Pitthuwalas who play a very important role in carefully taking the pilgrims to the holy cave. They also earn a livelihood through this yatra, which also stands as a symbol of peaceful coexistence between people of different faiths.”
“Every year, they wait for the Yatra to start and throughout the yatra, they stand on their toes to serve the Hindu devotees. It is imperative for the government to protect their interests and allow them to take the pilgrims to the cave,” he said.
He sought enhancement of internet speed in Sonamarg, Baltal, and other areas. He emphasized the need for either installing immediate towers or laying fibre optic cables, ensuring that both pilgrims and tourists have excellent internet access. He felicitated the stakeholder departments for elaborate arrangements pertaining to the snow clearances of all sections of tracks, deployment of trained manpower, helipad operations, health facilities, water and power supply at transit camps and halt points, allotment of tents and shops, disaster management, and contingency plan for accommodation.
